New Jersey Board of Public Utilities reviews storm preparedness plans
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities recently accepted an independent consultant’s report regarding the finances and operations of Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) as a part of its oversight of storm preparedness plans by the Electric Distribution Companies (EDC).
“Even on beautiful blue sky days, the board continues the critical work of ensuring the utility companies are continuously planning and implementing storm response improvements in order to be ready for the next severe weather event,” Richard S. Mroz, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, said. “As the Navigant report shows in the case of JCP&L, the regulated electric companies are doing well and working with the Board to identify areas of needed improvement, and developing solutions. The board will continue to closely monitor the electric companies’ storm preparation and implementation of recommended improvements to ensure they are best prepared to handle severe weather quickly responding to storm related outages.”
The consultant’s report provided an overview of planning, preparedness and responses to major storms between 2012 and 2015, during which the state suffered damage from a number of extraordinary storms, including Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and a Nor’easter winter storm.
The recommendations contained in the report are the next step in the board’s review of storm preparation and response efforts.
